It is team of the month time again. This month’s alternative team takes on a 4-3-3 formation and the spoiler is two hat-trick heroes did not make the cut. Remember the players named in the positions they occupy in the Premier League’s Official ‘Fantasy Premier League’.
Goalkeeper
Mark Flekken (Brentford)
Flekken missed the first match of the month through injury. When he returned, he kept two clean sheets in three games, making nine saves along the way. Ironically his best performance came in the match he conceded in. February ended with Brentford being held to a 1-1 draw with Everton and Flekken had to thwart Beto three times. The Dutchman is the only keeper with over 100 saves this campaign with 114.
Defenders
Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)
The Eagles took 9 points from 12 in February, whilst keeping two clean sheets. Munoz contributed at both ends as he continues to thrive in Oliver Glasner’s system. He assisted Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second goal in the 2-0 triumph at Manchester United. In Palace’s 2-0 win at Fulham, Munoz cooly created space before emphatically finding the roof of the net for the second goal. He also made Ismaila Sarr’s second goal in the 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.
James Tarkowski (Everton)
Everton’s captain was a key part of them going unbeaten in their five February games. He assisted Beto when the Toffees smashed Leicester 4-0. He then scored a gargantuan 98th minute equaliser as David Moyes’ men held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw in the last ever Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. He leads the league this season in clearances and headed clearances with 173 and 109 respectively. He is also 2nd in blocks with 34 and 5th in aerial battles won with 85.
Nathan Collins (Brentford)
The Bees kept two clean sheets in four February matches and Collins was dominant as they picked up 7 points from a possible 12. Brentford have conceded the most shots on goal in the league, so their defenders have needed to be alert, and Collins has been the standout. This campaign he is joint-1st in blocks with 37. The Republic of Ireland international is 2nd in headed clearances with 95, as well as being 3rd in clearances with 154. He is also 3rd in aerial battles won with 87.
Djed Spence (Tottenham)
It has taken multiple injuries in Tottenham’s defence, but Spence has finally been given his chance, and he has taken full advantage. Whether playing on the right or the left he has impressed at full back and with Destiny Udogie fit again now he gives Ange Postecoglou a welcomed selection headache. He scored in the 4-1 win at Ipswich but outside of that he has shone regardless, especially excelling in ground duels and his dribbling all throughout the month.
Midfielders
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Premier League’s top scorer and assister was at it again in February. He copped a brace in a 2-0 victory at Bournemouth, the second goal was a delightful curled finish. Salah then scored and assisted in the 2-2 draw at Everton. He scored from the penalty spot in the Reds’ 2-1 triumph over Wolves. The Egyptian then scored and assisted in successive games against Aston Villa and Manchester City. He then closed the month with another assist as Arne Slot’s men beat Newcastle 2-0 to make it an astounding 10 goal contributions in 6 games.
Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
Neto was Chelsea’s best attacker in February. The Portuguese winger came off the bench to get the equaliser at home to West Ham before the Blues went on to win 2-1. He bounced back from a quiet game against Brighton to produce a superb bit of wing play to find Enzo Fernandez to open the scoring against Aston Villa, before Enzo Maresca’s men lost 2-1. In the 4-0 win over Southampton, he clinically finished off a team move for 2-0 before his set piece was headed in by Levi Colwill for the third.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
Bowen returned from injury to fire in the opening goal against Chelsea that unfortunately ended in a 2-1 defeat. Bowen continued to play as a false 9 as the Hammers bounced back from a home loss against Brentford, to beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Captain Bowen got the winner as he headed in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross. The month finished with Bowen’s ball being deflected in for an own goal for the second goal in the 2-0 win at home to Leicester.
Forwards
Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton)
Amid speculation about his future Cunha remains to be Wolves’ talisman which had him just keep Chris Wood out of the team this month. Wolves got a massive win at home to Aston Villa and Cunha produced a fine late individual goal to seal the three points. He then scored a fine goal from long range though it only turned out to be a consolation as they fell 2-1 to Liverpool. The key goal that helped him make the cut was his winner against 10-man Bournemouth, where he cooly finished into the roof of the net in a 1-0 win.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Mateta’s season goes from strength to strength. Palace started the month with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford as a Mateta brace killed off Manchester United. His second was a well worked team goal. Oliver Glasner’s men then lost 2-1 at home to Everton where Mateta found the net again with a volley. He then assisted Daniel Munoz’s goal in the 2-0 win at Fulham. He closed February with a clinical left footed strike in the 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.
Beto (Everton)
Beto has struggled since coming to the Premier League but in February he was prolific. He scored twice at home to Leicester with two slick finishes once he got in behind. In the Merseyside Derby he opened the scoring as the Toffees caught Liverpool with a quick set piece. After that David Moyes’ men won 2-1 at Crystal Palace and Beto scored first yet again with another smart finish. He was once again the first on the scoresheet as he reacted quickest to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s header to put Everton ahead in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
@DubulDee
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